Automatic cotton-picker.



No. l,383.

Patented Nov. 6. |900. J. A. PEER. AUTUWIATIC CUTTUN PICKER.

(Application filed Apr. 13, 1898.).

(No Modal.)

Patented Nov. 6 J. A. PEER. AUTOMATIC CUTTDN PICKER.

(Application filed Apr. 13, 1898.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

llllllllll nrnnullI-zlllllllllgjmljjl a@ @tto/awel??? No. 66L33. Patented Nov. 6, |900.

J. A. PEER.

AUTDWIATIB COTTON PICKER.

(Application led Apr. 13, 1898.)

(No Model.)

' 3 Sheets-Sheet 3,

lUNiTnn STaTns PATENT @Trient JOHN A. or New ORLEANS, LoUsIANA.

AUTOMATIC COTTON-PICKER.

SPECIFICATION forming` part of Letters Patent N o. 661,383, dated November 6, 1900- llpplication led April 13, 1898. Serial No. 677,461. (No modelo To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN A. PEER, residing at New Orleans, in the parish of Orleans and State of Louisiana, have invented a new and useful Automatic Cotton-Picker, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is an improvement in cot-tonpicking machines; and it consists in the novel features hereinafterdescribed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one form in which l have contemplated embodying my invention, and said invention is fully disclosed in the following description and claims.

Referring to the said drawings, Figure l represents a perspective view of a cotton picker embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a rear view. Fig. 3 is a front view. Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the machine. Fig. el is a detail view of the mechanism for adjusting the rear wheels vertically. Fig. 4b is a detail sectional View of the connection between the front truck and the forward part of the frame of the machine. Fig. 5 is a top plan view, partly in section. Fig. 6 is a top plan view of one of the bearing-plates. Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of one of the picker-belts and its guard or finger, showing the parts detached. Fig. Sis a vertical transverse sectional view of the traction-wheel. Fig. S is a detail sectional view of a portion of the driving-wheel, showing one of the guide-rollers.

The object of my invention is to provide a machine which will pick only the ripe cotton without breaking or injuring the cottonplants, and thus leave the unripe bolls to ripen upon the plants and to be picked later when in a ripened condition.

In the drawings, A represents the frame of the machine provided at its rear end with a cotton-receiving box B.

C C represent the rear supporting-wheels, which are each connected to the frame so as to be independently adjusted vertically. In this instance I provide the frame on each side with a guide-plate C, secured to the frame A and to the box B, and provided with avertical guide in which slides a block C5, provided with a horizontal axle C4, which projects through a slot in the plate C6. The

block C5 is provided on its rear face with a rack c, the teeth of which mesh with the teeth of a gearsegment d, pivoted at c2 to the plate C6 and provided with an operating hand-lever C7, extending rearwardly. The lever C7 is adapted to be locked in its adjusted positions, and in this instance I have shown the side wall of the box B provided with a lockplate C8, having a series of notches or teeth to engage the lever C".

The wheels C C are mounted on the short axles C4 C4, and by means of the constructions just described each wheel can be adjusted independently up and down with respect to the main frame of the machine, so that the machine can be adjusted to travel in a level or horizontal position when working on a hillside.

The front end of the main frame is pr0 vided with two supporting-wheels C C on the axle of a truck D, pivoted to the main frame by means of a vertical screw-shaft C2, extending through a threaded aperture in a part secured to the main frame and provided at its upper end with a hand-wheel C3.

By turning this hand-wheel and shaft the front end of the frame can be raised and lowered with respect to the truck D and the ground. The front truck is provided with shafts, as shown, or other means for drawing the machine along.

A traction-wheel E is arranged between the side members of the main frame adjacent to the forward end of the frame, which revolves about a stationary disk E', rigidly secured to the frame and provided with grooved guidewheels E2, which engage au annular centering rim or web E3, extending inwardly from the peripheral portions of the traction-wheel E. The said traction-wheel E is also provided with an annular gear-ring El, the teeth of which mesh with the teeth of a gearwheel E5, mounted upon a vertical shaft E, which is journaled in bearings secured to the stationary disk E. This vertical shaft E6 is provided with a sprocket-wheel E7, which operates a Vdriving sprocket-chain E8, which passes around the said sprocket-wheel and around a sprocket-wheel F on a vertical shaft F', mounted in suitable bearings in the main frame in rear -of the traction wheel. 'lhe traction-wheel E is also provided with an an- IOO nular guard or flange E9, which covers and protects the gear-wheel E5 on the side opposite to the gear-ring E4, and the said gearring and annular guard are preferably secured to the traction-wheel by bolts E10, which pass through said ring and guard and through the inwardly-extending centering flange or web E3, as shown.

As the machine is drawn along the engagement of the traction-wheel with the ground will cause it to revolve upon theA guiding wheels or rollers E2 and the gear-ring E4 will cause the pinion E5 and shaft E6 to rotate at high speed, thereby rotating the sprocketwheel E7 and sprocket-chain E8 and transmitting motion to the vertical shaft E.

The shaft F is provided at its lower end with a pinion F2, which meshes with one of two pinions G G, mounted. upon the lower ends of vertical shafts G G, which are mounted in the framework of the machine. In the present instance I have provided the bottom of the machine with a bearing-plate G2 and the top ofv the machine with a similar bearing-plate G3, in which the vertical shafts G G are mounted, and the two pinions G G are so arranged as to mesh with each other, so that the shafts G G are driven in opposite directions.

In rear of the vertical shaftsG' G are a pair of vertical shafts H H', carrying revolubie brushes. Each of the brush-shafts I-I I-I is provided at its lower end with a pinion H, which meshes with the pinion G immediately in front of' it and receives motion therefrom. The brush-shafts I-I H are also mounted in suitable bearings in the plates G2 G3, before referred to.

' Secured to the machine-frame and projecting laterally therefrom on eachside is a vertical series of horizontal picker-belts sepa-v the horizontal picker-belts I, provided with' picker teeth or projections I. Each of these belts is carried at its inner end upon a pulley 12, secured to and revolving with the shaft G, and at its outer end bya roller I3, mounted between the ends of two adjacent fingers K. 1t will be seen that the space between alternate pairs of' fingers K is entirely unobstructed and will permit free passage of branches and unmatured bolls. The fingers of each pair which carry the belts are provided at their outerends byaguard K,which prevents the cotton picked by the projections on the picker-belt from being swept off as said projections pass around the outer roller. The fingersK will normally extend in a di- In order to secure the fingers and the pickerbelts carried thereby rigidly in any position to which they maybe adjusted upon their pivotal connection with the shafts G G', I provide in this instance a vertical clampingrod L foreach vertical series of iingers,which extends through an aperture in each finger and through curved slots L in plates G2 G3, concentric with the shafts G G. Each rod L is provided at its lower end with a head or a nut and at its upper end with a clampingnut, by means of which the said rod can be secured in position with respect to the plates G2 G3, thus holding all the belts and fingers in the vertical series in their adjusted positions.

The rotary brushes (indicated at M) are mounted upon the brush-shafts H H' in such position that theyengage the rear faces of the picker-belts adjacent to theinner portions of the belts, said brushes being for the purpose of removing the cotton from the picker-belts and depositing it within the cotton-box B of the machine.

Forward of the picking-belts the machine is provided on each side with a vertical series of horizontal separating or rake arms N, which are secured to a vertical bar N, pivotally mounted in the machine, in this instance by means of a bolt N2, passing vertically through the same and through the framework 0f the machine and provided with means for securing it in different adjusted positions. This bolt N2 is shown as provided with nuts N3, by means of which the vertical bar N' and the rake-arms N can be rigidly secured in the positions to which they are adjusted. The arms N are located in line horizontally with the spaces between the picker-belts and serve the purpose of separating and dividing the branches of the plants, so as to present them as uniformly as possible to the action of the picker-belts. The bottom part of the frame of the machine is also provided with laterally-extending guards O a short distance above the ground, which guards are inclined upwardly from their front edges toward their rear edges and are preferably hinged to the frame of the machine, as shown. These guards O serve the purpose of raising portions of the plants which have fallen upon the ground, so as to present the branches thereof to the picking mechanism, and they are allowed to yield upwardly by means of their hinge connection with the frame to enable them to pass over obstructions. These guards O O are sufficiently strong so that it' they come into contact with an immovable obstacle, such as a stump or other obstruction, they will arrest the machine and prevent the rake-arms N IIO and fingers K from coming into violentI contact with such obstructions, thus `protecting them from injury.

In operation the machine is drawn through the iield between two adjacent rows of cotton-plants, the picker guards or fingers being' adjusted so as to extend laterally between and among the branches of the plants as the machine is drawn forward. The picker-belts are driven at a very high rate of speed; but as the forward sides of said belts travel outwardly and rearwardly the motion of the picking projections with respect to the cotton-plants is comparatively slow and gentle, such as not to tear or injure the plants themselves, bnt to simply remove the ripe tlu ffy cotton therefrom, leaving the unmatured bolls upon the plants to ripen and be picked at a later date. The soft cotton gathered by the picking-belts is carried inward on the rear sides of the belts, and the cotton is brushed from the pickervbelts, before described, by the brushes M M.

By means of the devices before described the rear supporting-wheels can be independently adjusted up or down to hold the main body of the machine level on a side hill, and by means of the adjustable connection between the front portion of the main frame and the truck the pressure of the tractionwheel E upon the ground can be regulated according to the condition of the soil.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a cotton-picl ing machine, the combination with the mai n body, of a laterally-extending pickerbelt, mounted upon rollers having vertical axes, and means for driving the said belt so that its forward side will move outwardly, substantially as described.

2. In a cotton-picking machine, the combination with the main body, of a vertical series of horizontally-disposed belts laterally eX- tending, mounted upon rollers provided with vertical axes, said belts being separated to permit the branches of the plants and unmatured bolls to pass between them, and means for driving the said belts so that their forward sides will move outwardly, substantially as described.

In a cotton-picking machine the combination with the main body, of a vertical series of horizontally-disposed belts laterally extending, mounted npon rollers provided with vertical axes, said belts being separated to permit the branches of the plants and unmatured bolls to pass between them and mechanism for driving all of said belts so that the forward sides thereof Will move outwardly, substantially as described.

4. ln a cotton-picking machine the combination with the main body, of a vertical series ot' laterally-extending horizontally-disposed belts, mounted upon rollers having vertical axes, said belts being spaced a distance apart to permit branches of the plants and unmatured bolls to pass between them, means for adjusting said belts to cause them to lie at different angles to the main body of the machine and driving mechanism for said belts, substantially as described.

5. In a cotton-picking machine,l the combi nation with the main body, of a vertical series of laterally-extending fingers, pivotally connected to the said main body, a series of pickerbelts mounted upon rollers having vertical axes between certain of said fingers, said belts being separated from each other to permit branches and unmatured bolls to pass between them, and means for driving said belts so as to cause their forward sides to travel outwardly, substantially as described.

6, In a cotton-picking machine, thecombination with the main body, of a vertical series of laterally-extending fingers, pivotally connected to the said main body, a series of pickerbelts mounted upon rollers having vertical axes between certain of said lingers, said belts being separated from each other to permit branches and unmatured bolls to pass between them, and means for driving` said belts so as to cause their forward sides to travel outwardly, and means for adjusting said iingers and the belts carried thereby to different angles with respect to said main body, substantially as described.

7. In a cotton-picking machine, the combination with the main body, of a vertical series of horizontally disposed fingers extending laterally therefrom, a series of belts mounted between certain of said lingers, upon rollers` provided with vertical axes, said belts being separated to permit branches and unmatured bolls to pass between them, driving means for said belts and guards secured to the said fingers and extending across the ends of said belts to prevent the cotton picked thereby from being brushed off by contact with the plants, substantially as described.

8. In a cotton-picking machine, the combination With the main body, of a Vertical series of laterally-extending lingers, pivotally connected to the said main body, a series of picker-belts mounted upon rollers having vertical axes between certain of said ti ngers, said belts being separated from each other to permit branches and unniatured bolls to pass between them, and means for driving said belts so as to cause their forward sides to travel outwardly, a clamping-rod extending vertically through all of said lingers and through slots provided in parts connected with the main body of the machine and a securing device for said rod, whereby said fingers and said belts maybe adjusted to different angles with respect to said main body, substantially as described.

9. In a cottonpicking machine, the combi' nation with the main body provided with a vertical shaft, of a vertical series ofhorizontal fingers pivotally mounted upon said shaft and separated from each other, a series of rollers secured to said shaft between certain of said fingers, a series of vertical rollers secu red beu IOO IOS

IIO

. said vertical shaft to cause the forward sides of said belts to move outwardly, substantially as described.

l0. In a cotton-picking machine, the combination with the main body, of a vertical series of horizontally-disposed belts laterally extending, mounted upon rollers provided with vertical axes, said belts being separated to permit the branches of the plants and unmatured bolls to pass between them, driving mechanism for said belts, and a vertical series of horizontal rake-arms located forward of and in line with the spaces between said belts, substantially as described.

11. In a cotton-picking machine, the combination with the main body, of a vertical series of horizontally-disposed belts laterally extending, mounted upon rollers provided with vertical axes, said belts being separated to permit the branches of the plants and unmatured bolls to pass between them, a vertical series of rake-arms pivotally secured to said main body forward of said belts each of said arms being in a horizontal line with one of the spaces between two adjacent belts, substantially as described.

12. In a cotton-picking machine, the combination with the main body, of a vertical series of horizontally-disposed belts laterally extending, mounted upon rollers provided with vertical axes, said belts being separated to permit the branches of the plants and unmatured bolls to pass between them, a pair of rear supporting-wheels secured to said main body, a pair of front supporting-wheels, a traction-whcel intermediate said front and rear wheels operatively connected with said belts, and means for adjusting said front wheels with respect to the main body to vary the weight upon said traction-wheel, substantially as described.

13. In a cotton-picker, the combination of the main frame, of the front and rear wheels supporting said frame, the rear wheels being independently adjustable, the adjustingscrew for raising and lowering the front end of the frame, the stationary disk carrying a rotary shaft provided with a drive-sprocket, the traction-wheel revolving about the said stationary disk and imparting motion to the rotary shaft, the belt andbrush shafts together with the intermediate gearing devices for communicating a motion to the said belt and brush shafts, the endless belts and spacing-arms arranged on the belt-shafts, the brushes arranged upon the rotary brushshafts, the box or receiver carried upon the rear end of the main frame, the separating or rake arms, and the guards upon the lower sides of the main frame all arranged and adapted to operate substantially as shown and described.

, JOHN A. PEER. Witnesses:

CHAS. E. BROCK, CLARENCE SHAW. 

